Originally Posted by Papa Tom

...that, when you arrive at your destination, people aren't clamoring to talk to you anymore.

I still really enjoy taking one-nighter rides, but I miss the way people used to come out of the woodwork and want to hear about my journey. Of course, the little boy in me is sad that young women don't flirt with me and pretend they are impressed that I could "ride all those miles" anymore, but that's not even what I mean. It's hard to find cyclists my age (almost 57) when I arrive in a town, and the younger riders always seem to be too busy trying to impress each other with their gear and their calf muscles.

Has some of the thrill of touring gone away for any of you now that you are out of the "mainstream?"